Freddie Burns has dismissed as “nonsense” speculation that Todd Blackadder was facing the sack as Bath’s director of rugby following a player revolt after the defeat against Bristol on the opening night. Bath go into the fourth round of matches next weekend fourth in the table after coming from 21 points down to draw with…
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Saracens beat gritty Newcastle as Alex Lewington scores twice on debut
Click:electronic devices and circuit It may be the start of a brand new season but for Newcastle this was a particularly frustrating case of deja vu. To describe the Falcons’ historic success rate against Saracens as modest is a sizeable understatement and, predictably, the visitors left the north east with a 20th consecutive victory over…
England’s domestic rugby union season to extend deep into summer
The much-debated changes to England’s traditional domestic rugby calendar will be announced on Tuesday at Twickenham. Rather than lasting from early September to late May the Premiership season will extend deep into June with all summer tours earmarked for July. Despite months of compromise talks between the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby…
John Mitchell gets to work for England by setting sights on World Cup
England’s new defence coach, John Mitchell, thinks Eddie Jones’s squad can still win the 2019 Rugby World Cup despite their disappointing results this year. The former All Blacks head coach has been recruited by Jones to add fresh impetus to the team following a run of five defeats in the past six Tests. “I really…
Wallabies fitness questioned by All Blacks great ahead of second Test
The fitness level of Australia’s players is being questioned for a second straight year as they struggle to keep pace with New Zealand. Former All Blacks great Jeff Wilson believes the Wallabies had either over-trained heading into last week’s 38-13 loss in Sydney or are simply unfit. He could not otherwise explain their dramatic drop-off…
Joe Marler to face no punishment over England suspension comments
Joe Marler will not face any disciplinary action from the Rugby Football Union over comments outlining how he used to try to get himself suspended to avoid England duty. It is understood Marler was contacted by the RFU for clarification over his remarks but the matter will not be taken any further. The 28-year-old announced…
Taulupe Faletau set to miss Wales’ Six Nations campaign with broken arm
The Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau looks set to miss the Six Nations after breaking his arm again, according to reports. Faletau, a British and Irish Lion, suffered a fractured forearm playing for Bath in October and missed the autumn international series. The 28-year-old returned for his club in Saturday’s 18-16 Champions Cup win over…
Wasps out of Champions Cup as Antoine Dupont-inspired Toulouse seal win
Wasps’ hopes of reaching the Champions Cup quarter-finals ended as Toulouse claimed a 42-27 bonus-point victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Jamie George’s late try seals victory for Saracens over Cardiff Blues Tries from Yoann Huget, Joe Tekori, Romain Ntamack and two from the man-of-the-match Antoine Dupont plus 17 points from the boot of Thomas Ramos…
Gerbrandt Grobler: ‘If Eddie Jones came calling, I wouldn’t turn it down’
If Gerbrandt Grobler needed a reminder that he can never fully escape his doping past, it came within days of his arrival at Gloucester. It may have been coincidence but he was the first player drug-tested in pre-season following his summer move from Munster, brought about by the storm that brewed in Ireland over his…
Paul Gustard: ‘All I wish for England is for them to win the World Cup’
Click:GEMO Beauty Device Paul Gustard does not look like a man laden with regrets. If anything, on a chilly lunchtime in the first week of 2019, he appears happier than he did in almost three years as England’s defence coach. “There will be no green-eyed monster,” insists Harlequins’ head of rugby when asked how he…